Competitions, raffles, bingo and other charitable games
Art unions, raffles, bingo, lucky envelopes, Calcutta sweeps and promotional games (trade promotions or competitions) are regulated under the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999.
Under the Act, these different games are broken into categories, some of which require a licence.
Category 1 games
- Includes raffles (art unions), sweeps, Calcutta sweeps, football doubles, lucky door prizes, bingo
- Gross proceeds are not more than $2,000
- The total value of prizes in any raffle must be at least 20% of the estimated gross proceeds (total ticket sales)
- Can be conducted by a non-profit association and, in limited cases, an individual
- Read the Guide to category 1 games up to $2000 (total ticket sales)
- Does not require a licence
Category 2 games
- Includes raffles, sweeps, Calcutta sweeps, football doubles, lucky door prizes, bingo
- Gross proceeds of all games in a bingo session are more than $2,000 but not more than $20,000
- For other games—the gross proceeds are more than $2,000 but not more than $50,000
- The total value of prizes in any raffle must be at least 20% of the estimated gross proceeds (total ticket sales)
- Can be conducted by an eligible non-profit association
- If a club is an 'eligible association' it can conduct raffles up to $50,000 without any licence, permit or permit number. See section 10 of the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 for meaning of 'eligible association'
- Read the Guide to category 2 games—Gross proceeds more than $2,000 but not more than $50,000 (total ticket sales)
- Does not require a licence
Category 3 games
- Includes raffles or art unions
- Gross proceeds are more than $50,000
- Can be conducted by an eligible incorporated non-profit association
- A licence number must be printed on all category 3 games where the ticket sales are estimated to exceed $50,000
- The total value of prizes in any raffle must be at least 20% of the estimated gross proceeds (total ticket sales)
- Read the Guide to category 3 games—Gross proceeds more than $50,000 (total ticket sales)
- Requires a category 3 gaming licence
Special category 3 games
- Must be a person intending to conduct a single art union for the welfare or benefit of individuals who need help because of a disaster or a disadvantaged individual
- Gross proceeds are more than $5,000
- Requires a special category 3 gaming licence
Category 4 promotional games (trade promotions)
- These are free entry draws conducted to promote goods or services
- Any person may conduct a promotional game; however, they are normally conducted by businesses to promote the sale of products
- Read the Guide to category 4 promotional games
- Does not require a licence
Bingo centres
- A bingo centre is where 2 or more eligible associations conduct, between them, more than 25 bingo sessions each week
- Requires a bingo centre licence
Lucky envelopes
- Lucky envelopes are a type of pre-determined lottery. They are sold as 'break-open' type tickets where the correct combination of numbers/letters/pictures on the tickets produces a winner
- Lucky envelopes can be conducted by an eligible association
- An eligible association must not sell lucky envelopes unless the envelopes have been printed under a licence
- Requires a lucky envelope printer licence
Tipping competitions
- Can be conducted by an individual or an association
- All proceeds must be returned to the players as prizes
- Does not require a licence
Legislation
Charitable and non-profit gaming operates under the following legislation:
- Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999
- Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Regulation 1999
- Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Rule 2010.
Licence applications and fact sheets
Download licence application forms, fact sheets and other resources related to charitable and non-profit gaming.
Resource manuals
- Queensland responsible gambling resource manual: Charitable and non-profit
- Queensland responsible gambling resource manual: Bingo
Code of practice
Also consider...
- Check the fees and charges for Queensland gaming licensing.
- Learn more about hosting poker tournaments on licensed premises.
- Learn more about hosting 'funny money' nights on licensed premises.
- Last reviewed: 23 Aug 2018
- Last updated: 17 Dec 2019